Rhode Island
Rhode Island man to plead guilty to setting fire to Black church
Kevin Colantonio, 35, of North Providence, R.I., was arrested a few days after the fire at Shiloh Gospel Temple. He is expected to admit to targeting the church because of its mostly Black membership.
Burning At Shiloh Gospel Temple
United States Attorney Zachary Cunha addresses media.
PROVIDENCE, R. I. – A Rhode Island man has agreed to plead guilty to charges that he set fire to a North Providence church earlier this year, targeting it because of its mostly Black membership, according to court documents.
Kevin Colantonio of North Providence was arrested a few days after the early morning fire Feb. 11 at Shiloh Gospel Temple, a Pentecostal church.
He admitted to buying a Bic lighter and gasoline at a nearby Cumberland Farms shortly before midnight, pouring the gasoline around the outside of the church and igniting it, according to a plea agreement filed Friday in U.S. District Court, Providence.
Colantonio’s actions caused church services to be cancelled, according to court records, preventing its congregants from their free exercise of religion. He stipulated he chose the church because of actual or perceived color, race, religion, national origin or ethnicity of its members.
Surveillance video, information from witnesses and a bank card helped lead police to Colantonio. Investigators said they found racist writings in Colantonio’s apartment. Prosecutors read from one of them during Colantonio’s initial court appearance four days after the fire. It said: “Hunt them down. Gun everyone who isn’t white.”
Colantonio has also agreed to plead guilty to charges that he threw feces and urine at two prison guards who were delivering his breakfast on March 4 at the Donald W. Wyatt Detention Facility in Central Falls, court papers show.
Colantonio was charged with damage to a religious property, malicious damage by means of fire and two counts of assault of a federal officer. The first two counts carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The second count requires a minimum sentence of five years.
The arson unnerved the church community, which has about 100 members, and drew intense police scrutiny. Pastor Eric Perry said the fire could have been fatal if the church had been holding a service when it was set.
Rhode Island
GoLocalProv | News | NEW: RI Woman Previously Arrested 100 Times Charged in Death of Pedestrian
Saturday, December 06, 2025
PHOTOS: Hopkinton Police
Hopkinton Police announced on Saturday that it responded to a one-car motor vehicle accident in the area of 42 Spring Street (Route 138), Hope Valley. When Officers arrived on the scene, they discovered that a pedestrian walking his dogs had been struck by the vehicle.
The woman charged in the incident had previously been arrested 100 times.
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Police said in a statement, “At this time, it is believed that the motor vehicle, driven by 41-year-old Shannon N. Godbout of 332 Canonchet Road, Apt. 203 was traveling eastbound on Spring Street when she left her lane and struck several objects, including two telephone poles and a pedestrian walking his dogs on the shoulder of the eastbound Lane.
The pedestrian victim has been identified as 70-year-old Roderick Macleod, who resided at 12B Pleasant Street, Richmond, Rhode Island. Macleod was transported to Rhode Island Hospital by Hope Valley Ambulance.
Macleod died from his injuries.
“At the scene of the accident, Officers discovered that Shannon N. Godbout was in possession of numerous illegal narcotics and packaging materials commonly associated with drug distribution. She was placed under arrest at the scene and subsequently transported to Westerly Hospital for medical evaluations by Ashaway Ambulance.
This accident is currently under investigation with assistance from the Rhode Island State Police Accident Reconstruction Team,” said the Police.
Shannon N. Godbout is facing preliminary charges for the following criminal offenses:
– Driving to endanger, resulting in death
– Possession of narcotics, Schedule I/II with intent to distribute, 3rd plus offense
Shannon N. Godbout will be scheduled to appear before a Justice of the Peace and presented to the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office as a criminal violator for past charges for which she is currently on suspended sentences/probation.
The investigation is ongoing, and additional charges may be brought against Godbout as further evidence is gathered.
100 Arrests
Hopkinton Police cite:
– Godbout’s criminal history includes over 100 arrests, with 8 of them from the Hopkinton Police Department.
– 82 court warrants have been issued for Godbout previously.
– Godbout has received 40 traffic citations, with 7 of them issued by Hopkinton Police.
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WATCH: URI and Brown coaches speak postgame on Dec. 2, 2025
The Rhode Island Rams beat the Brown Bears on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025.
PROVIDENCE — Rivalry week in Rhode Island continues.
It’s the best week of the year as the state’s college basketball teams play each other and no matchup is bigger than Rhode Island vs. Providence. The Providence Journal’s Jacob Rousseau and Bill Koch are downtown today to cover the day.
Tip is set for noon at the Amica Mutual Pavilion.
It’s the 135th matchup between the in-state rivals with Providence leading the all-time series, 77-57. Rhode Island won last year’s game, 69-63, in Kingston. Rhode Island hasn’t won in Providence since Dec. 7, 2002, when it captured a 73-71 victory.
Follow along for live updates from the game!
Live updates from Rhode Island vs. Providence men’s basketball
11 a.m. — Both teams have taken the courts for warm ups now. Students have started to trickle into their sections in the AMP’s endzones. We’re just over an hour before tip in this rivalry matchup.
10:36 a.m. — Providence’s Duncan Powell is on the court warming up with a mask. The forward hasn’t played since Nov. 14 with a facial injury. Kim English said, after the Friars’ win vs. FDU, that Powell could be available today.
9:45 a.m. — We’re here bright and early at Amica Mutual Pavilion. Broadcast crew from TNT — operating as TruTV this afternoon — getting settled.
Officials for this matchup are Lamar Simpson, Greg Evans and Tim Clougherty. Simpson and Clougherty were on the whistle Friday night at Pizzitola Center, a 75-56 win for Brown over Bryant. Evans has been off since Wednesday night, a Sacred Heart road win at Mount St. Mary’s.
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